A young man shot himself in the leg while handling a gun in his apartment Tuesday.

Police responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment complex near 800 West and Fig Tree Place (835 North) around 1 p.m., said Salt Lake City police Lt. Craig Gleason.

A young man believed to be in his late teens or early 20s originally told police that he had been shot and said a vehicle with the supposed shooters drove away from his apartment building. He later admitted he mishandled a .45-caliber pistol and shot himself in the leg, Gleason said.

The man went to the hospital to be treated for the bullet wound. He is in good condition and was able to walk out of his apartment despite the gunshot wound, Gleason said.

Gleason said it's common for people who shoot themselves to lie because they are embarrassed.

Melinda Rogers